44 SUMMARIES OF EAST RIDING PLANTS. 



It will be seen from the above that, compared with the 

 figures for Britain as a whole, the number of recently in- 

 troduced plants is fairly high, and consequently that of truly 

 native plants somewhat low. Thus it would appear that on 

 the whole the East Riding flora has a new or more recent 

 look about it, in the same sense as we speak of the people of 

 such a country as the United States. And this is what one 

 might expect when one remembers the comparatively recent 

 geological character of the land generally, and the wide- 

 spread influence of the agriculturist and gardener who have 

 not been able to introduce their cereals and other plants 

 of economic value, together with numerous camp followers, 

 without causing the retreat of many forms that would once 

 upon a time hold more extensive possession. Yielding to 

 a certain archceological taste, one might devote much time 

 and trouble in finding- out, if possible, what really were the 

 aboriginal plants, although assuredly the task would be an 

 almost hopeless one. The historian who can, so to speak, 

 stand without the arena and report concerning the events 

 transpiring within the same, has decided advantage over 

 one who has to depend merely upon what may be considered 

 internal natural evidence. But such a person is in a fair 

 way, at least, to arrive at a big portion of the continuous 

 natural record. This will be further elucidated by following 

 the plan and nomenclature of • the late H. C. Watson's 

 "Cvbele Britannica " particularly, as exemplified by Mr. 

 J. G. Baker in his "New Flora of Northumberland and 

 Durham" (1868), and Dr. F. A. Lees, "West Yorkshire 

 Flora" (1887). A further analysis, according to "Types of 

 Distribution," may be made, and such an analysis gives a 

 ver}- instructive comparison between the elements composing 

 the flora of the East Riding (vice-county 61, S.E. Yorks. ) 

 and that of other vice-counties, or of Britain as a whole. 

 Watson's "Types of Distribution" were the following, 

 viz. : — 



1. British Type. — Species generally distributed tlirougliout Britain. 



2. English Type. — Species haviiifj head(xuarters in England, diininisli, 



and finally cease northward. 



3. Scottish Type. — Species which, having headr|uarters in Scotland, 



diminisli and hnally cease soutlnvard. 



4. Highland Type. — The horeal Hora of the Scottish Highlands (not 



represented at all in East Hiding of Yorksliire). 

 ."). Germanic Type. — Species liaving their headc^uarters in S.E. England, 



and cease northward and westward, 

 (i. Atlantic Type.— South-west of England plants, ceasing towards 



north and east. 



